#1030 PAYÁ INTERNATIONAL – FERRARI 312 FORMULA 1 (Ref. 2134) (Around 1972)

This International Payá Formula 1 is unmarked, what makes it difficult to identify. The quality of the cast stands out, and you can easily notice that it is not a cheap toy, but unless you are familiar with the company, you won´t be able to recognise it.

It is the Ferrari 312 F1 (Ref. 2134), a nice cast that I cannot assign to any other manufacturer, it was probably made by Payá themselves. Other unmarked models with similar reference numbers were also the own creations of the Spanish die-cast maker. It is completely red and carries a RN3 sticker. I think it is a great sample, and collectors will appreciate its rarity.

The models with reference numbers 2134 or higher are somewhat more difficult to find, probably because they were released later that the rest, when other die-cast manufacturers were better established and the competition was higher. That is why I dated this car around 1972, while all the other cars I own were dated around 1970. Take a look at my other International Payá treasures!

*By the way... I noticed that I sometimes write International Payá, and others Payá International. I would say both are OK!

FACTS AND FIGURES

• Name: FERRARI 312 FORMULA 1 (Ref. 2134)
• Scale: 1:64 (approx.)
• Year: Around 1972
• Company: Payá International (Spain)
• Size: approx. 3’’ or 7 cm

#1029 SOLIDO – LOLA T 280 (Nr. 15) (1973)

I have had chances to buy many Solido models over the years, but most of the times, I refused. Models by Solido are mostly in 1:43 scale, which was not very interesting for me until quite late in my collector´s life. Recently I found this excellent model of a Lola Sport Prototype with Swiss Cheese decorations (funny!) and in perfect shape. I couldn´t let this go. It is beautifully made and it comes with practicable motor cover.

As usual in this brand, the car is only decorated on the side that can be seen through the box window. A sheet of stickers is available in the box, that the buyer has to apply himself or herself. In this case, the owner didn't do that.

The real car was used in the year 1972 to run Le Mans. This decoration corresponds to two different teams. RN7 belonged to the Team Ecurie Bonnet Switzerland and the drivers were Hughes de Fierlant (from Belgium), Jorge de Bagration (from Spain) and Mário de Araújo Cabral (from Portugal). The team abandoned after only 26 laps. RN8 did a bit better, completing a total of 213 laps after abandoning. The drivers in this case were Joakim Bonnier (from Sweden), Gérard Larrouse (from France) and Gijs van Lennep (from the Netherlands). This last driver made the fastest lap in the race that year.

Seen at: www.conradantiquario.info/content/katalog/solido-export-1973.html

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name:  LOLA T 280 (Nr. 15)
• Scale: 1:43
• Year: 1973
• Company: Solido (France)
• Size: approx. 9 cm